Ingotse Church of God Dispensary

  Kenya

Kakamega

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: on going

Description: This dispensary is located in western Kenya 500km from Nairobi town. The centre is run by a nurse and has no doctor. The centre was once supported by the mission of essential medicines (MEDS) and serves the areas of Sirikoi, Ingoste, Sinoi, Esumeyia sub locations. Most complicated cases are referred to the Kakamega District Hospital. The centre has an observation room and handles minor operations like circumcision, maternity and general ailments. The centre has 12 beds. The area is rural which means that most patients cannot raise their own money to pay for the medical care and are thus allowed to pay in kind. The centre is currently looking for funding to set up a pediatric ward and additional funding to support its activities and the laboratory. We therefore invite volunteers who can assist in any of the above activites and possibly help the centre have a full time doctor and fully functional wards. Since the area is quite remote there will be a need for the volunteers to be involved in public health and home visits.

Volunteer activities
- General volunteering
- Preparation of medical charts and boards
- Public health
- Nutrition and meal preparation
- Routine clean ups and health checks
- Fund raising
- Any other activity/programme available during the volunteer placement

What kind of volunteer are we looking for;

- General volunteers
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Accountants/financial experts
- Community health workers
- Students including medical students
- Social workers
- Community development officers

Length of commitment: Minimum of two weeks and a maximum of 1 year before renewing the commitment.

Accommodation: It is our policy that all our volunteers stay with an African host family to learn more about day to day living of an average African home. We have trained selected host families with an experience of handling volunteers with all the care that they need. Some volunteers who come as a group are allowed to stay in the home; we have guest rooms that can be used by visitors. We receive volunteers at the airport and take them to an already booked hostel. We will have a big paper with your name/names on it e.g. John. They then rest for one day in the city. The following day we travel by day bus to the community. All this time you will be with a Touch Africa guide.

For young volunteers who are under the age of 18 need either a letter from parent or guardian to Touch Africa indicating that they have agreed for you to come to this program. This letter can either be mailed to us or you come with it yourself as you come to join our program. Or a letter from the patron of your school club (e.g. interact volunteering club, model UN, community service club, school travel club etc) who should be an adult to tell us that he /she have released you to come to join our program. Or A letter from your school; to tell us that they are happy you have chosen and agreed to come to volunteer and learn more about Africa.

You need to get a valid visa for your stay here.
Get vaccination/treatment against malaria.
Tell us the local date and time of your arrival.
Tell us the Flight Company and number.

Donations: We want to give everybody a chance including those who do not have a donation to give.

Volunteers can also write an email to us specifically requesting to be attached to this project.

Highlights:
* A chance to visit places of interest
* Learn the rich culture of the Luhya

Qualifications: Any one willing to work in a dispensary - qualified doctors, nurses and health practioners

Cost in US$: US$480 two weeks+US$150 per every extra week

Experience Required: yes

preferably exposure to a rural setting

Typical Volunteer: Young energetic students and professionals

Age Range: 18-35yrs

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 1-10

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Touch Africa International's Mission Statement: To empower orphans and vulnerable children with quality knowledge to enable them contribute positively towards our national development. To provide shelter , care and education to our children. Revolves around issues of poverty, particularly the lack of education, economic opportunity and environmental concerns. Our goal is to train people to be effective business entrepreneurs, community leaders and global citizens through organizing of community work camps, internships, volunteer programs, community development projects and educational tours which focus on Four key issues of our work foundation namely Reducing poverty; Increasing global cooperation; Sustainable development; equality & social justice; Environmental conservation and protection; we believe in giving everyone a chance to contribute to a better society by organizing affordable programs as listed above and we ensure that they are interactive ,enjoyable ,educative and most of all life changing in short meeting real people in the real world to bring a real change in peoples lives.

Year Founded: 2005

Touch Africa International is a based organization. We do not require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.